Environmental Practice in Baltic Cities 2009 Award Is Out

www.ubc-environment.net Cities

Environmebulletinntal No 1, 2009 Baltic

active stakeholder involvement in UBC CITIES

Best Environmental Practice in Baltic Cities 2009 Award is out

C ities

Editorial environment 1/2009 Baltic

Baltic Sea Region shares it´s co-operation experience

t is our great privilege to live here, in the Baltic Sea daily behavior towards more sustainable production and Region. However, we are living in a very unique and consumption patterns could also be effectively supported Ifragile ecosystem and this privilege entails us to manage through the implementation of the Strategy. here in a responsible and sustainable manner. Estonia’s own experience proves that economic growth The initiative to elaborate a European Union Strategy for and environmentally sustainable path of development the Baltic Sea Region (BSR) is an outstanding challenge for all can be achieved if relevant economic and fiscal measures of us. The Baltic Sea Region is rich in long-term and fruitful are applied both at national as well as local levels. I do co-operation traditions between cities; different networks believe that well co-ordinated actions and goal-oriented of local authorities, and well-functioning exchange of best implementation of the widely agreed targets are supporting practices are also of considerable value we can be proud of. national efforts and sending a positive signal to the regional As one aim of the BSR Strategy is to improve the already level, and at the same time giving added value to the existing co-operation, our achievements can contribute European Union sustainable development process. directly towards the European Union’s overall development and all other Member States will benefit from this new kind of experience. Development of the EU Baltic Sea Region Strategy requires a transparent spirit of co-operation, openness and smoothly working schemes for involvement of all interested parties. It is important to strengthen the sense of ownership towards our common regional goals in all participating Governments as well as other stakeholders. When initiating the Strategy, well-functioning local level networks of the region were actively involved in team-work with their ideas and proposals. I would like to stress that collaboration with local authorities and other interested parties already in the compilation process is a key for implementation of the Strategy - only a multi-stakeholder and open approach in all phases of elaboration is the bases for real success in the future actions. Sustainable development is the main driving force for the region and therefore I would emphasize the cross-sectoral approach of the Strategy. Efficient use of innovative Jaanus Tamkivi environmental technologies, sustainable use of natural Minister for Environment of Estonia recourses as well as sustainable lifestyle and changes in our

UBC member cities (as of April 2009) Aalborg•Aarhus•Baltijsk•Bergen•Botkyrka•Cēsis•Chojnice•Copenhagen•Elblag•Elva•Espoo•Fredericia•Gargzdai•Guldborgsund•Gävle•Gdańsk•Gdynia• Göteborg•Greifswald•Haapsalu•Halmstad•Helsinki•Jēkabpils•Jelgava•Jõgeva•Jõhvi•Jurmala•Jyväskylä•Järvenpää•Kaliningrad• Kalmar•Karlskrona•Karlstad•Kaunas•Keila•Kemi•Kiel•Klaipeda•Køge•Kolding•Koszalin•Kotka•Kristiansand•Kristianstad•Kronstadt• Kuressaare•KrynicaMorska•Kärdla•Lahti•Liepaja•Linköping•Lomonosov•Luleå•Lübeck•Łeba•Maardu•Malbork•Malmö•Mariehamn•Marijampolė• Miedzyzdroje•Nacka•Narva•Næstved•Norrtälje•Nyköping•Oskarshamn•Palanga•Paldiski•Panevėžys•Pärnu•Peterhof•Pori• Porvoo•PruszczGdanski•Reda•Rēzekne•Riga•Rostock•Robertsfors•Sestroretsk•Siauliai•Sillamäe•Słupsk•Sopot•St.Petersburg• Sundsvall•Szczecin•Tallinn•Tampere•Tartu•Trelleborg•Tukums•Turku•Umeå•Ustka•Vaasa•Viljandi•Vilnius•Visby•Vordingborg•Võru•Västervik• Växjö•Wismar•ÖrebroBaltic Cities Environmental bulletin 1/09 C ities

contents environment 1/2009 Baltic

22 UBC Survey of Sustainable Development 2009 UBC Sustainability Action Programme 2010-2015 If you need assistance with project applications, contact EnvCom Photo: city of Jekabpils Engage your stakeholders toolkit is now available for order at EnvCom Secretariat

6 Over 100 eco-families in Karlstad Tools that benefit all local authorities are 2 Baltic Sea Region shares now available on CD it’s co-operation experience 7 Słupsk among the ecology leaders in Editorial by Jaanus Tamkivi, Minister for Poland Youth monitoring is used in HIV/AIDS Environment, Estonia prevention 8 Gdansk offers different ways for The Baltic Sea Challenge campaign 4 Lot of talk but few actions citizens to be involved EnvCom meets next in Kristiansand –stakeholder involvement in local 9 Jekabpils participates in energy authorities work efficient project 23 Back cover (inside): UBC Environment and Sustainable Development Secretariat 15 New approach to the management 9 John Nurminen Foundation campaigns of urban-rural interactions - NEW for cleaner Baltic Sea 24 Back cover: Best Environmental Practice 2 BRIDGES 10 Companies focus on sustainability in in Baltic Cities Award 2009 The Best 0 Sundsvall Environmental Practice 0 in Baltic Cities 16 With stakeholders to local climate Award 9 change response - CHAMP 10 The climate is changing - so should UBC you; action in Lahti Short News 11 Collective actions in Kaunas EnvCom today 12 Historical barge is sailing on River Emajõgi in Tartu 13 Noise map is used in Gdynia to decrease noise level 14 Environmental issues raise interest Q’s in Kaliningrad corner 14 Stakeholder involvement in 19 Henrik Johanssen from Växjö tells Trelleborg Concept how they have used the prize money they received after winning the Best 17 BaltCICA continues stakeholder Environmental Practice in Baltic Photo: Laima Griauslyte dialogue Cities Award 2007. 18 Stockholm and Hamburg firstGreen UBC Energy Commission Capitals of Europe 19 Panevezys wishes to improve storm Small Tech 20-21 water management - the key to success in Energy strategies for the Baltic Region. Stakeholder Involvement Photo: city of Växjö

Editorial information Baltic Cities Environmental bulletin 1/2009 is published by the Union of the Baltic Cities Environment and Sustainable Development Secretariat. Chief-Editor: Stella Aaltonen ([email protected])Advisory board: Kari Porra - Lahti, Tõnu Tuppits - Tallinn, Zane Silima - Tukums, Maciej Lorek - Gdansk, Thorsten Geissler - Lübeck, Merete Dissing Pedersen - Kolding Address: Union of the Baltic Cities Environment and Sustainable Development Secretariat, Vanha Suurtori 7, FIN-20500 Turku, FINLAND, Tel: +358 2 262 3171, Fax: +358 2 262 3425, E-mail: [email protected] More information: www.ubc-environment.net ISSN 1455-0903 Cover photo: City of Gdansk, Department of Environment Printing house: Painoprisma, in April 2009 on 100 % recycled paper.

Baltic Cities Environmental bulletin 1/09 C ities

stakeholder involvement environment 1/2009 Baltic Lot of talk but few actions stakeholder involvement in local authorities work

Text & photos: Stella Aaltonen

ocal authorities and politicians are often afraid of the conse- willing to develop their approaches further – for the benefit of quences of active involvement to their role and mandates. the stakeholders. Each of the partners chose a theme to be ad- LThey do not know how to manage the process and state that dressed in the project and carried out baseline review analyses there is anyway a lack of resouces to carry it out. A true involve- and target setting on it with increased stakeholder involvement. ment would require that in many cases the organizational cul- The MATRUSHKA project resulted in two extensive outcomes ture of the municipality/city would need to change before any – “Engage your stakeholders” – toolkit and a Good Practice Da- involvement could start. But what if the focus would be put on tabase for local authorities. Both of them assist local authorities doing things with the stakeholder not just for them. What would from moving from talk to action. happen? During the “Integrated Management System for Russian Cities Stakeholder Involvement process – MATRUSCHKA” – project, it became clear that more capacity building and development of organizational cultures in the Stakeholder Involvement can improve city management if all project partners cities are needed in order to address challenges parts of the process are thought through. For this an ”Engage brought by the stakeholder involvement. The project consor- your stakeholders – stakeholder involvement toolkit for local au- tium was formed of active and forward thinking cities that were thorities” was published. The toolkit describes a full process of stakeholder involvement. This includes understanding the key

- What is in it from our city? was the most wanted information after the Good Practice Database was launched for everyone to use. Participants started to discuss the future use of the database with lots of enthusiasim. Visit: www.ubcwheel.eu.

Baltic Cities Environmental bulletin 1/09 Stakeholder involvement in the local authorities is very often a one-off event, Commission on that is on the shoulders of few officers. Rarely the involvement is based on Environment offers through analyzes or plans that would benefit the entire organization. possibilities Stakeholder Involvement often uses traditional ways of communication ntegrated stakeholder involvement is a challenge for the and involvement, not going beyond cities with the decreased resources available. UBC Commis- the legally required involvement of Ision on Environment (EnvCom) enables the member cities stakeholders. to face up the challenge of moving from talk to action. It is up to the member cities to use the opportunities offered. Through the launched of the Good Practice Database and the new Env- Com website (www.ubc-environment.net), the EnvCom is bet- terms and analyzing stakeholders as part of planning of the stake- ter equipped to answer to the needs of its members. Further holder involvement, implementing the most suitable method for motivation offers the Best Environmental Practice in the Baltic the topic in question and reaching an outcome. The focus is on Cities Award 2009 that is now available for member cities to reinforcing the use of involvement methods as part of the deci- apply. sion-making in the cities and challenging the local authorities to The UBC EnvCom had a meeting in St Petersburg in March 2009 go beyond the legally required involvement of stakeholders. with over 60 participants. The meeting was organized for the “Engage your stakeholders” - toolkit has used a tree symbolism first time with simultaneous interpretation into Russian and for the local authorities. Stakeholder involvement is a core ele- this enabled a good participation of several Russian cities. The ment for the local authorities work; it runs in the veins of the tree meeting focused on Stakeholder Involvement and in concretiz- and can bring flourishing, growth and “fruits” for the citizens (e.g. ing the UBC Sustainability Action Programme 2010 - 2015. In practical actions and plans) to enjoy. The toolkit introduces a set the meeting, good examples of stakeholder involvement from of tested stakeholder involvement methods for the use of local cities of Malmö and Halmstad were introduced. These exam- authorities. These methods can be used separately or in combi- ples stressed the added value that stakeholder involvement nation with other methods. The examples in the toolkit provide brings to local authorities. further inspiration for the reader on how to use the methods. The discussion on the UBC Sustainability Action Programme 2010 – 2015 focused on how to formulate ambitious goals and Good Practice Database a clear direction for UBC cities in combating challenges like climate change, poor situation of the Baltic Sea and the current fi- A Good Practice Database in the Baltic Sea Region was launched nancial crises. The partici- on the 18th of March 2009 at the Final Conference of the pants expressed that UBC MATRUSCHKA –project in connection with the HELCOM Interna- action plan offers a good tional Environmental Forum “Baltic Sea Days”. Currently, the -da basis for the develop- tabase includes 310 good practices from over hundred cities both ment of strategic actions in English and Russian. This gives a very good impression of how in the Baltic Sea Region active and engaged cities are in the Baltic Sea region! and therefore it should The database was developed to answer to the need of local au- be challenging enough thorities to find practical exam- for UBC. The UBC Sustain- ples complemented with suit- ability Action Programme able tools. The practices cover is now commented and it sustainable development in cities will be approved in the X including all topics from transport UBC General Conference to health and from social aspects in September 2009 in Kristiansand, Norway. to economic instruments, all dimen- The EnvCom meeting was highly evaluated and we want to ex- sions of the Aalborg Commitments. press gratitude towards the city of St Petersburg for hosting In the database, you find examples, ex- it. The next meeting of the EnvCom will take place in connec- periences and inspiration of what other tion to the General Conference of UBC in Kristiansand Norway. cities and municipalities have done. More information at www.ubc-environment.net These examples tell how the cities suc- The new Sustainability Action Programme stresses the multi- ceeded, sometimes with small effort, but stakeholder involvement in the different processes towards great creativity, to speed up the sustainable development in their sustainability. It focuses on crosscutting issues of awareness, area, e.g by involving the citizens in the decision-making or cre- management and leadership, resources and quality of life. ating huge campaigns about how to travel to school safely and These will be addressed in the next actions carried out by the environmental friendly. UBC Commission on Environment together with other commissions. The new Sustainability Action Programme continues More about “Integrated Management System for Russian Cities the successful work of the UBC Agenda 21 Action Programme – MATRUSCHKA” – project in Newsletter 2/2009, or 2004-2009 that is now being evaluated through Survey round www.matruschka-project.net to member cities. It is hoped that the member cities will actively give input for the evaluation as it is vital for the development of our next support measures.

Baltic Cities Environmental bulletin 1/09 C ities

stakeholder involvement environment 1/2009 Baltic How 111 families learnt to live more eco-friendly Echo Action in Karlstad Text: Karin Svensson Photos: city of Karlstad

combination of information and the right tools, mainly produced by the project, the families were helped to smoothly implement How can an ordinary family in a fairly large actions and thus take more responsibility towards the environ- city like Karlstad start to live a bit more ment. environmentally friendly? Well, by joining a The families have carried out more than 1 000 different measures project like Echo Action for example! in order to change their habits. Most families saved electricity and water, drove their cars more economically and cycled to work. Others tested sorting of waste at source and eating ecologically produced food. In average, the families reduced their carbon di- n average the 100 participating families reduced their carbon oxide emission with 1,6 ton per family per year by changing their dioxide emissions with 1,6 tonne only by changing some of habits. Itheir old habits. During the twelve months of the project the families took over 1 000 actions in order to have a greener life- A positive mantra style. The Echo Action - project in Karlstad has been part of an EU project One important mantra for the families in the project has been called “Echo Action, Energy Conscious Households in Action” “No one can do everything, but everyone can do something”. This (EA). EA has involved 2 000 families throughout Europe. During also reflects the fact that the families participated in the project 2007-2008 nine cities in seven countries have encouraged their fully on their own terms. The aim from the project perspective residents to live a greener lifestyle. The aim for the participat- was that the families would find it fun and stimulating to have a ing families has been to reduce their energy consumption and to greener lifestyle. travel more environmentally friendly. EA has been a pilot project - “We didn’t want the families to feel that their participation in and thus the results can be used in other European countries. the project was to be difficult or boring. It hasn’t been a competi- - We can all do our share to improve the environment, said Åke tion between the families,” says Po Haster, project leader of EA Pettersson, councillor in Karlstad and himself participant in the in Karlstad. project, on the kick-off meeting. Climate star to Echo Action High level of activity in the families The municipality of Karlstad received the European environmen- The project has been highly successful, and in many ways suc- tal award Climate Star 2007 for its successful work on transport ceeded in filling the families with enthusiasm and helping them and energy issues and for the EA project. Karlstad won the award to make eco-friendly actions as part of their daily lives. With a ahead of 50 other European cities. - “We have worked on citizen awareness and strategic issues in the environmental field for a On the right, Mikael Schultz, environment director of Karlstad municipality, long time and this has brought and Åke Pettersson, councillor in Karlstad, receive the Climate Star 2007. great results”, says Mikael Schultz, environment director in the municipality of Karlstad. “From an international perspective, we have achieved a lot”.

More information about EA: www.karlstad.se/miljovardag

Po Haster, Project leader, city of Karlstad [email protected] Tel: +46 54-29 73 03

Karin Svensson, Information manager, city of Karlstad [email protected] Tel: +46 54 29 73 13

The Strandberg family learned how to live a greener lifestyle in the Echo Action project. Baltic Cities Environmental bulletin 1/09 Look after your city so that its beauty never dies

Echo Action in Karlstad Słupsk among the ecology leaders in Poland

Text: Jerzy Jakym Photo: Michał Słupczewski

For many years, a programme for environmental protection has been carried out successfully by the City Council’s Department for Municipal Services, Housing and Environment in Słupsk. Department’s activities are supported by numerous companies working on protection of the environment, educational facilities and pro-ecology organisations.

he municipalal Public Utilities Company carries out a grammes in the field of environmental protection are strongly comprehensive programme of environmental protec- supported by local government’s decisions and companies offer- Ttion. As part of the programme the municipal landfill site ing municipal services. It means in practice that special centres in Bierkowo, which is exemplary on a national scale, has been for ecological education are created, ecological contests, fairs extended and modernised. A state-of-the art sorting plant for and events are organised and seminars, lectures and trainings mixed waste (to be separated from the rest and prepared for fur- regarding protection of the environment are held. ther use or processing) has been erected there. Of the many initiatives aimed at developing pro-ecological- at The city of Słupsk can boast with one of the most modern waste- titudes and conducts in young people the following are worth water treatment plants in Poland, too. The plant’s technological mentioning: the artistic contest held annually for the last 10 years expansion is currently under the way. It corresponds with the on the World’s Earth Day, the competition called “Cleaning the huge EU-funded ecological investment project, having been car- World”, the action “Clean up after your dog”, the campaign under ried out since 2005, called “Water and wastewater management the slogan “Sorting waste is as natural as breathing”, which prop- programme in the Słupsk region”. It is going to improve the condi- agates selective gathering of waste, actions “Do not burn your tion of the natural environment and cleanness of water and soil waste” and “We say NO to illegal landfills!” or the contest called and it helps to adjust water and wastewater management of the “Look after your city so that its beauty never dies”. city of Słupsk, Disctrict of Słupsk and District of Kobylnica to meet Polish and EU standards. Several environmental awards in Słupsk Another investment that is significant to the natural environment is a ring road – currently under construction – which should This huge amount of work for protecting the environment in improve the traffic system in the city and reduce the amount of Słupsk and its region has been awarded with many ecological exhaust fumes, noise and vibrations. Much is also being done prizes and distinctions, including titles of “The environment- in Słupsk to use renewable sources of energy. The best exam- friendly district”, “The Patron of Polish Ecology” and “The leader ple might be the activity of the company “Energa Elektrownie of Polish Ecology”. In 2008, the city was also awarded in the in- Słupsk” that runs 16 water-power plants in the region, which are ternational competion called “Green Apple Awards” for modern- considered the eldest such plants still in operational in Europe. izing the municipal wastewater plant, renovating the system of water reservoirs, constructing a fish pass for sea trout on the Slu- pia River, closing down the inefficient boiler houses, finding use Active young generation for biogas and expanding the municipal landfill site. Municipal activities to protect the environment find strong sup- The commitment of Słupsk ecologists improves life standards of port in the young generation of Słupsk citizens, to whom ecology its citizens and creates advantageous conditions for companies is often something they feel passionate about and invest their so that they can run their business according to the rules of re- leisure time in. Pupils and students take part in ecological school specting nature. contests and actions both regional and national. Ecological and environmental education quite often goes beyond the school More information: curriculum and is continued in clubs, groups and organisations, Przemysław Namysłowski or Anna Antonowicz, City Promotion and European Integration Office, City Hall in Słupsk where nature and ecology make a center point. Education pro- Tel: +48 59 84 88 448 or +48 59 84 88 441

Baltic Cities Environmental bulletin 1/09 Regular mayor’s meetings in the city districts, Local Agenda 21 Forums and different events are just some of the forms the city of Gdańsk offers for its citizens to participate in. All these forms have increased the awareness of citizens towards decision-making and ecological education.

Gdansk offers different ways for citizens to be involved in municipal issues

Text: Dagmara Nagórka - Kmiecik & Monika Piotrowska - Szypryt Photos: Department for Environment

ayor’s meetings are organized once a month in differ- knowledge in relation to waste issues. We – as the local author- ent city districts. During those meetings citizens have ity representatives decided to focus on explaining people the im- Mthe opportunity to discuss their problems with local portance of using reusable ecological bags instead of the plastic authority representatives. They are also informed about city poli- ones. At our exposition place, the citizens were given ecological cy and about planned activities to be taken in their districts. bags, which we hope are still in use :). Almost 1 000 bags were Regular meetings of Local Agenda 21 Forum have been organ- distributed during that event. ized since 1998. With involvement of representatives of There were also very interesting demonstrations. For example, politicians, business sector, NGOs, industry and citizens, the company collecting electrical and electronic waste exposed the policy of the city is evaluated and the main priorities “the dragon”, which was made out of microchips taken out from are defined or pointed out. the collected equipment. Representa- tives of Ecological Education and Infor- Ecological bags for citizens mation Centre presented in practice how to use waste paper to make hand- Ecological event called made paper. “Green Weekend” (or- In our city, year by year, the concern on ganized since 2002) ecological and environmental issues in- is an event aiming to creases. The number of participants in involve the inhabit- the events presented above and also in ants in topics related to other forms of communication is grow- environmental issues and ing. Considering this, as well as observ- to increase their environ- ing other activities undertaken by our mental awareness. The inhabitants, we assume that our work event is addressed to eve- gives results, involves different stake- ryone from children, adults, pensioners to locals holders, and opens new fields of co-operation. But we are also and tourists. During one appointed weekend- aware that there is still much work to be done. day in the year, people are invited to come to a special place, like at the seaside, where they can find a lot of interesting and valuable infor- More information: mation. Having a rest, during discussions and Department for Environment, city of Gdańsk looking at the presented materials in an easy way Dagmara Nagórka - Kmiecik they learn about important things. Every year, the [email protected] event concentrates on a certain topic. In 2008, Monika Piotrowska - Szypryt it was related to waste, so most of the or- [email protected] ganizations and institutions invited to take part in the event, presented their work and

Baltic Cities Environmental bulletin 1/09 Jekabpils participates in energy efficiency project MODEL

Text: Liga Klavina Photo: city of Jekabpils

he project particularly aims at developing actions to -en courage citizens, local decision makers and stakeholders Jekabpils city municipality together with five other Tin taking their own initiatives, thus preparing the ground for sustainable energy communities among other things. This is cities from Latvia participates in energy efficiency done through promoting the appointment of municipal energy project MODEL from 2007 till 2010. The leading managers, implementing multi-annual local action plans and partner from Latvia is Social Economy Fund. The energy information systems to improve energy performance of municipal properties and by taking communication initiatives aim is to help local authorities becoming models – incl. the Display® Campaign, Municipal Intelligent Energy Days, for citizens. The project also aims to improve the etc. – towards civil society. practical capacities of local authorities in 8 new One of the main direct results of the MODEL project is to imple- member states & candidate countries to better ment activities such as Municipal Energy Programmes and an- deal with intelligent energy issues at both individual nual Action Plans. At least 34 pilot municipalities (practice) aim at saving minimum of 10% of (municipalities) and collective the energy consumed in mu- (national networks or embryos of nicipal properties, who will act networks) levels. as models and thus enhance other local authorities, to take dissemination actions. Jekabpils city municipality pays great attention to the issues of energy saving and efficiency es- More information: pecially in the upcoming period Liga Klavina, Head of development and of limited resources. Promotion investment department of energy saving among the [email protected] citizens becomes the priority of www.jekabpils.lv networking activities between all the partners involved, stimulating exchange of experience and supporting local initiatives.

Finnish Companies for the

Cleaner Baltic Sea Text: Miina Mäki Photo: John Nurminen Foundation

he poor state of the Baltic Sea has worried Finnish people, During the spring 2009, the Clean Baltic Sea will have the larg- decision-makers as well as companies for some time. In the est pro bono based campaign seen in Finland. The campaign de- Trecent years, some big Finnish companies have taken ac- sign, as well as all visibility in media, has been donated for the tion to stop the drastic development of the Baltic Sea environ- project. ment by supporting the Clean Baltic Project of the private John Nurminen Foundation of Finland. The Project combats euthophication of the Baltic Sea with the objective to reduce phosphorus discharges entering the sea in Learn more about the project: municipal wastewaters. Enhanced phosphorus removal can be www.cleanbalticsea.fi achieved with generally low cost investments at the treatment plants.

Baltic Cities Environmental bulletin 1/09 Companies focus on sustainability in Sundsvall

Text & photo: Anna Hassani Nordqvist The companies can ask for an environmental coach for free advice and support as well as receive financial assistance to get To offer help for companies to identify their started. activities and propose measures that can reduce energy consumption and stimulate climate-smart The project has four more tools: measures is the aim of a new project in Sundsvall. Map and Survey: “What is not described in figures does not The initial aim is to create a Sustainability Network exist”, is often seen as a truth. The business-driven environ- so that business representatives have a meeting ment is often described in general terms and has the lackof hard figures in terms of both mon- place where the environmental work can be ey and environment. It provides a evaluated and developed. flawed decision-making. The aim is to produce figures that simply describe the business-driven environment of work spread over time. undsvall municipality has started a three year project where the company’s support Selement is the most comprehensive. The Sustainable purchasing: The aim work in the project has started with contacting 150 small enter- is to strengthen and develop regional work with environmen- prises. The goal is that at least 50 of them will decide to be part tal requirements in procurement and to make it known by of the project. This work will be carried out in 2009. all who may be affected. Two important issues should be addressed: What can be demanded? How can it be evaluated? The smaller companies usually have neither the time nor the money to work with environmental issues - they may not even have the knowledge. The project will supply companies with advice and Viable solutions and Awards: Being first or best rewarded has a support to improve their operations and to become more envi- goodwill value. The aim is to strengthen and encourage those ronmentally focused. Project management has selected the most that go before and think new and thus get a virtuous cycle so environmentally sensitive companies: mechanical workshops, that firms are encouraged to invest in sustainability. housepainters, transporters, clean-up firms, and tire companies. Sustainable building: Construction firms can become climate smarter by sharing ideas and exchanging experiences among The project idea is to do practical things together such as having themselves. The aim is to create meeting places for this sector. breakfast meetings, seminars and workshops. Here, companies can meet and share their experiences and thus become better More information: environmental performers. Workshops on energy and climate-ef- Anna Hassani Nordqvist ficient buildings and sustainable purchasing also turn to politi- [email protected] cians and officials in the public sector so that experiences can be exchanged between different “worlds”.

Lahti: The climate is changing – so should you

Text: Ulla Kananen Drawing: Tuula Tuisku Honkanen gimmicks for lots of citizens. Most of the suggestion will improve Bicycle, recycle, reduce waste and save water. not only the environment, but also your health and economy. In the guide peoples own habits can be compared to the indicators Years we have been talking about the ways of being that are used to evaluate the state of the local climate. The guide climate friendly. Lahti region environmental service also introduces the carbon footprint of the city of Lahti for the has published a guide for its citizens where all first time. these climate acts are combined in one document. The guide was released on Saturday the 27th of March 2009 in the local Earth Hour event. The city of Lahti wanted to take part s the municipalities of Hollola, Lahti and Nastola are tak- on the international event to make true to the old saying “Think ing actions on the climate issues, they have called their globally, act locally!” In the event major buildings; Lahti city hall, Acitizens to share the responsibility for combating climate the church, radio masts and the Sibelius concert hall, switched change at the local level. The Climate is Changing - so should you, their lights off and citizens could enjoy circus and snow lanterns a guide for citizens is part of the regional climate programme in the candle light. process which aims to create a common will to reduce green- The guide is part of the Kelaa! (Think!) project which is house gas emissions amongst different administrative sectors. At funded by European regional fund during 2008-2011. the same time, the co-operation between the municipalities and their citizens will develop. More information The guide encourages people to try familiar means like driving Lahti region environmental services less, eating organic and mending things. But there are surely new [email protected] Tel: +358 3 814 3226

10 Baltic Cities Environmental bulletin 1/09 Text: Marija Stanikuniene Photos: Laima Griauslyte

Collective action as a key to successful involvement in Kaunas

ach year an increasing number of people take an interest in environmental issues and join environmental actions or- Eganized by Kaunas City Municipality. One of the most popu- Kaunas Environmental Protection Division is lar ones was a clean up campaign “Clean Up the World” that was thinking of ways to involve the community and organized in Kaunas in October 2008. other stakeholder groups in decision-making and Volunteers were invited to focus on Lampėdžiai forest park and environmental initiatives. This can be achieved the lake – both are popular recreational areas for citizens and city visitors. This clean up campaign was exceptional because through appropriate engagement to increase scuba divers cleaned the bottom of the lake for the first time participation in decisions that affect citizens and removing plastic bottles, tires, cans and other debris. A great their local community. No doubt that involving diversity of stakeholders was actively involved in this campaign: community members can lead to the initiation of Lampėdžiai community center, public diving enterprise “Nardyk”, joint – stock waste company “Kauno švara”, school pupils and lo- positive environmental changes. cal residents. At the end of the clean up activities everyone were invited for a dinner hosted by Lampėdžiai community center. It was a great opportunity to sit down and discuss about the main environmental issues and problems which the Community is con- This successful campaign has become a good inspiring example cerned about. for other communities in the city. Environmental Protection Divi- sion has received suggestions to organize similar clean up actions in other parts of the city of Kaunas. Such practices encourage dialogue between the municipality and communities, as well as other interest groups. This will increase the likelihood of achieving real and lasting changes in the city environment. However, preventive involvement of interest groups in city development processes plays a high role. It is regulated under laws of Territory planning and Environmental impact assessment. Many people gather at public meetings where new documents of territory planning are presented. This way they can share suggestions, ideas, express their opinion and influence decision making. As practice shows, involving stakeholders in early stages of the planning process ensures much more positive outcomes than eliminating negative results.

More information: Marija Stanikuniene, Head of Environmental Protection Division Tel: +370 37 422467 [email protected]

Baltic Cities Environmental bulletin 1/09 11 Text: Liisa-Lota KaivoPhoto: Jüri Laan

Sail along the river in Tartu on a barge!

he idea of building a barge in 2004 was attractive and the lasted for five years. The Small Barge Hall, where all the sailing time for implementing it most suitable. The people of the trips presently start is situated on the city’s territory and the City TRiver Emajõgi Barge Society, the NGO founded for the im- of Tartu has been an important partner in all the bigger projects plementation of the idea, were young and full of enthusiasm. of the Barge Society. At the moment the City Government is sup- They had never built a ship before. Nevertheless, it was the city of porting the construction of another historic vessel, a 12 meter Tartu who had trust in the society and therefore decided to sup- Viking ship and is a partner in fulfilling another common dream port the idea and allocated 51,300 EUR for the project so about – the Great Barge Hall: a historical ship center and museum. The two thirds of the total required self-financing sum was covered. center will be the organizer of regular culture events and festivals The construction process was open for everyone to watch and to meet the wide scope of interests of our guests. raised a lot of excitement all over Estonia. The media kept a close Welcome to Tartu! Come and sail with us on board of our barge! eye on the progress. Several hundred volunteers helped with their advice and contribution. However, the construction work, that had started in such good spirits also suffered from few set- backs. We regret to say it but the sailing barge was not, unfortu- More information: nately, completed by the International Hanseatic Days 2005 in Liisa-Lota Kaivo, the Emajõgi River Barge Society www.lodi.ee Tartu, but was launched a year later on 29th April 2006 to the River Emajõgi and named the „Jõmmu“ under the patronage of the late famous Estonian writer Jaan Kross. Almost 3,000 people watched the festive occasion from the river banks, the event was broadcast by all the local TV channels. In the spring of 2009, the „Jõmmu“ starts its fourth navigation In the spring of 2004, a group of enthusiasts season. The sailing barge, or lodi in Estonian, has won the hearts in Tartu was willing to revive a historic sailing of many citizens and guests of Tartu. In 2006 the lodi was given ship, the Emajõgi-Peipsi barge and with this the Deed of the Year award by the people of Tartu. The „Jõmmu“ also participates in numerous culture projects and makes- fre effort bring back a small amount of the glory quent sailing trips to Lakes Peipsi and Võrtsjärv. The River Ema- of the past to the River Emajõgi. The Estonian jõgi Barge Society was declared the Innovator of Tourism 2008, sailing barges are wooden trade vessels round which is also a tribute to the City of Tartu who had the courage of shape with huge square sails. They were to support the society’s endeavours. In just a few years the sailing barge has become a part of the Tartu brand which draws at- used for the transport of cargo around Tartu tention not only to the gateway of the city of Tartu on the River and Pskov for over half a millenium. The vessels Emajõgi but also to Estonia as the country of historic waterways which began to be used in the early Hanseatic and pristine nature. period were in their prime in the 19th century. Cooperation between the Barge Society and the City of Tartu has

12 Baltic Cities Environmental bulletin 1/09 Gdynia decreases noise level with the help of Noise Map

Text: Bartosz Frankowski Photo: city of Gdynia

n basis of the map and the cases where permissible noise levels in the environment are exceeded, the ”Programme Oof Environmental Protection against Noise for the City The Noise Map of city of Gdynia presents the of Gdynia” was created and adopted by the Gdynia City Council current noise situation, indentifies the main noise in October 2008. Before the adoption of the programme, social sources and areas exposed to noise as well the consultations were organized, during which the inhabitants could present their remarks, suggestions and doubts. number of people exposed to excessive noise levels. The permissible noise levels are exceeded due to road and rail- Different maps show the distribution of long-term way traffic as well as industrial activity. The Programme includes indicator Lden (describing the period of day, evening variant methods for limiting the nuisance of noise and identifies and night) as well as Ln indicator (describing the optimal solutions. Due to the fact that noise nuisance is caused period of night) for road, railway and industrial by sources controlled by different entities, the Programme as- signs the task of realizing its particular elements to different noise. In addition, the map includes the so called bodies such as Mayor of Gdynia, General Directorate of National vulnerability map, where different areas of the city Roads and Motorways, Polish State Railways, Fast Commuter Rail are marked along with permissible noise levels and police. ascribed to them. The total cost of the programme realisation in the years 2009- 2015 is estimated at 88 million zlotys. The money will be spent, among other things, on building acoustic screens, replacement of window frames or modernization of railway tracks. More information: The adopted implementation schedule of particular programme Bartosz Frankowski elements allows for taking actions aimed at the improvement of Head of Environmental Protection and Agriculture Department the acoustic environment of Gdynia inhabitants in the time and Tel: +48 58 66 20 222 scope indicated. [email protected]

The noise map of Gdynia together with ”The Programme of Envi- Agata Lipińska – Gurbiel ronmental Protection against Noise” is available at http://server. Environmental Protection and Agriculture Department miasto.gdynia.pl/mapaakus Tel: +48 58 66 20 215 EU member countries have been obliged to produce strategic [email protected] noise maps (in accordance with the directive 2002/49/EC) as well as Programmes of Environmental Protection against Noise based http://server.miasto.gdynia.pl/mapaakus on them.

Baltic Cities Environmental bulletin 1/09 13 Environmental issues Stakeholder involvement raise interest in in a multiple-aim Kaliningrad process according to the Text: Boris Komovnikov Photo: Stella Aaltonen Trelleborg Concept Currently measures in the sphere of Text: Linda Wolski environmental protection are considered to be among the priorities of the local authorities Trelleborg municipality is managing a activities in Kaliningrad. The concrete work project where costal algae and vegetation for the city is done by the Municipal Institution from constructed wetlands will be collected Environmental Centre “ECAT-Kaliningrad”. and converted to biogas for use in local transportation and on international ferry cologists consider that elimination of oil spills in water area of Kaliningrad port and Kaliningrad bay, zoo reconstruction lines. By using the effects of eutrophication- Eand optimization of traffic flows in the city are the most excessive biomass production- and convert it effective projects among the 26 ones implemented by the Envi- into a climate neutral option for combustion ronmental Centre ECAT- Kalinigrad. In total, these activities have cost 5 million dollars. fuels, Trelleborg is intending to implement ECAT- Kaliningrad is struggling for the reduction of emission cost, resource and energy- efficient ways to from the city landfill of solid household waste. 1.5 million Euro is mitigate the effects of eutrophication, climate planned to be spend for the reconstruction of the natural land- change, biodiversity loss, air-pollution and scape. ECAT-Kaliningrad has developed a system “Informational other environmental threats. System for Waste Management in Kaliningrad”. This system en- Text: sures the complex monitoring of generation, transportation, dis- posal and treatment of waste in the regional centre. The system he Trelleborg Concept stands for an innovative and - at will also help to analyze the calculation of appropriate charges tractive project design with a holistic view throughout the and payments for environmental negative impact. Tplanning process where resources management, efficiency, restoration and preservation are combined. Loss of income from tourism due to algal blooms has been an important motivation for politicians and land-owners to take action in the project. Air emissions with health complications and harvest losses in agriculture could be a motivation for future regulations/greening of the harbour and local traffic. The project involves a large and diverse group of stakeholders which have all been connected to the project at an early stage of planning. Without the local governments clear vision of the project outcome, the process would have been impossible to carry out. Strong representatives from this group see the potential of creating a green and innovative image of the municipality and the possibility to offer new jobs from related Cleantech services, By carrying out educational activities ECAT-Kaliningrad has sig- e.g. at a former, no longer profitable sugar beet industry where nificantly contributed to the increase of nature users’ awareness, the new biogas reactor is to be located. The politicians also see and profitability of the city budget. The Centre helps nature us- the projects potential of promoting Trelleborg as a sustainabil- ers in organizing and carrying out of the environmental issues ity-oriented region at the UN Climate Conference in Copenhagen by working under environmental projects design. ECAT offers in 2009. environmental courses in the city. Thanks to the courses, 45 en- EU-institutions and intergovernmental interest groups have given terprises including “Municipal Enterprises “Kaliningradteploset” a strong financial support and the objectives of the project are and “Vodocanal” have introduced the post of ecologist. Any highly linked to the HELCOM recommendations and the Baltic stakeholder can get the environmental consultation at the ECAT Sea Action plan where the largest potentials for local nutrient office if needed. reductions have been taken into consideration in the planning Among ECAT’s activities the implementation of international process. projects plays a significant role. Due to the specific geographi- cal position, Kaliningrad Region being surrounded by European More information: Countries, it is vital to take part in joint activities. The specialists on the Trelleborg Concept in Baltic Cities Environmental Bulletin 2/2008. working for ECAT have gained wide experience and are able to solve serious issues in the interests of the city. More information: More about activities of the ECAT–Kaliningrad can be found in MATRUSCHKA Newsletter 2/2009.

More information: Boris Komovnikov, Director of the Municipal Institution Environmental Centre “ECAT-Kaliningrad” 14 BalticTel: +7 4012Cities 95 77Environmental 11, Fax: +7 4012 bulletin 58 44 64,1/09 [email protected] Text: Anna Koreneva Photo: city of Turku New approach to the management of urban-rural interactions These issues have a significant meaning for every What is your vision of citizen and they are also important for local and regional authorities, who aim to create attractive cities and quality of life? How regions and to improve the well-being of the people. But and where would you it has turned out to be a great challenge to meet the requirements of all the people whose opinions are so like to live and work? diverse and, at the same time, to comply with the plans and strategies of the regional and urban-rural development.

his becomes very evident when looking at the current de- Each partner city-region will decide on and implement one pilot velopment trends in the Baltic Sea Region (BSR): develop- action interlinked to one of these three elements. For example, Tments and challenges both in rural and urban areas are also the Municipality of Kaunas District in Lithuania is interested to resulting in negative impacts on environment, economics and on concentrate on the organization of urban-rural public transport quality of life, decreasing the attractiveness of the regions for within the project. For the Triangle region in Denmark, the overall households and investors. aim is, as Development Adviser Niels Græsbøll Olesen states, “to gain more knowledge about what makes a region attractive and Integrating stakeholders how best to manage policies that match with this knowledge”. However, no matter what is the key challenge or even the size of A three-year NEW BRIDGES project (2009-2012) led by UBC the city-region in question, quality of life can be only strength- Commission on Environment with 12 partners from eight BSR ened by a comprehensive involvement of the people living and countries, aims to improve the management of the urban-rural working in that city-region! interactions and to strengthen the quality of life within these in- The project will evaluate the potentials for more sustainable ur- teractions. This will be achieved by linking together the individual ban-rural interactions through out the Baltic Sea Region. Based perspective and the planning and policymaking. on this, NEW BRIDGES partners produce and implement new The project analyses (via interviews, questionnaires, workshops), working methods and pilot actions to promote better manage- the preferences of different population segments (families, -en ment of quality of life that correspond to the needs of people trepreneurs, retiring people) and stakeholder groups (resident living in the BSR. Further, the project builds up new urban-ru- associations, business associations) in urban-rural areas and ral partnerships that will strengthen the city-regions´ organizing compare them to the existing policies and practices. The involve- capacities to become more sustainable and attractive places to ment of the stakeholders plays a crucial role in the process of live, invest and work in. Finally, based on the project experiences planning and implementation of the project as it enables to bring the partners will together write recommendations for the entire together the relevant people in the partner city-regions. The BSR on coherent planning, implementation and management of project will demonstrate how to include the views of the con- urban-rural interactions. cerned individuals into the discussion among planners and to integrate their views into the planning and development of an attractive region. More information: www.urbanrural.net Improved quality of life Sakari Saarinen, Project coordinator The current challenges and new potentials of the partner city- [email protected] regions will be addressed from the perspective of three main elements of quality of life: residential preferences, mobility and accessibility and provision of services. These key elements play a central role not only in their impacts on people’s every-day life, but also on better management of urban-rural interactions.

Baltic Cities Environmental bulletin 1/09 15 With stakeholders to local climate change response

Text: Esther Kreutz Photo: Byline: Megapix Picture Agency limate change response happens in different ways in cities and municipalities: Physical investments as in barriers Cagainst flooding are as important as addressing climate Climate change effects are experienced change at the planning stage for land use planning, construction, first-hand at the local level and cities and urban infrastructure and local government procurement. Climate municipalities carry a huge responsibility to change strategies are prepared on national level, but also the local level is increasingly engaged in setting up regional and local respond to these effects as well as to their strategies for tackling climate change and here it is vital to have stakeholder’s needs and concerns. Local the stakeholders involved. authorities play an important role in meeting climate targets both on national, European and CHAMP-Local Response to Climate Change global levels as well as preparing adaptation “CHAMP-Local Response to Climate Change” is a three-year and mitigation measures on the local level. project that is founded to support local and regional authorities in taking an integrated approach to develop climate change strategies. CHAMP is co-funded by the LIFE+ instrument of the European Commission and the project consortium consists of 7 partners from four countries, whereas UBC EnvCom acts as the lead partner. CHAMP is based on the experiences from the project “Manag- ing Urban Europe-25” which brings the content and the model for integrated management systems (IMS) to a concrete issue. National hubs will be established in Finland, Germany, Hungary and Italy to train and support local and subregional authorities in implementing IMS and respond to the local challenge of climate change effects. The project itself will reduce its own carbon footprint through increased use of new technologies and ways of distant communication. This way we decreased travels and contribute to climate change mitigation.

Stakeholder involvement for an integrated climate change strategy The model for integrated management systems for local sustainability has been developed in the “Managing Urban Europe 25 project” and will be the basis for the training modules in CHAMP. Managing a city or municipality only works with involving stakeholders, in each step of the management cycle: stakeholders will take part in writing the baseline review as well as in target settings for future actions and of course in the implementation. Valuable information and important concerns on climate change issues will come from NGOs, universities, citizens and other stakeholders that are essential for the city planning.

More information: www.localmanagement.eu Esther Kreutz, Project Coordinator, UBC EnvCom [email protected]

16 Baltic Cities Environmental bulletin 1/09 A dialogue for climate change adaptation Text & photos: Elena Talockaite

laipeda region, which is situated in the Baltic Sea coastal area has to adapt to the climate change impacts, probably Nobody knows local problems better than local Kmore than other regions, due to the rising sea level, higher people. Nobody knows newest scientific data and frequency of extreme weather events and the caused impacts on different social, economical and environmental sectors. Aware- sound solutions for different problems better than ness of local stakeholders and decision-makers on climate change researchers. Nobody knows the need and practical issues, as well as their willingness to solve the problem, is es- possibility to solve local problems better than sential. local decision makers. What these groups can ECAT has 12 years of experience in environmental awareness do alone? They can just continue their everyday raising, capacity building activities, as well as building a dialogue between different groups of stakeholders in Lithuania. Activities life, make everyday decisions and carry out carried out by ECAT in the Klaipeda region could be considered as everyday research activities. These activities will one of successful examples. be implemented separately and without achieving a common result. What can these groups do BaltCICA project continues stakeholder dialogue together? They can build a dialogue and join First attempts to build a dialogue between researchers, local forces for solving concrete local issues. politicians, decision-makers and representatives of other local stakeholders in Klaipeda city took place in 2005-2007 in the frame of the ASTRA project (www.astra-project.org), part financed by INTERREG IIIB NP. At that time more attention was put on the More information: awareness raising of local stake- Elena Talockaite, Environmental Centre for holders. Several seminars for local Administration and Technology (ECAT) stakeholders were organized and Tel: +370 37 423053 articles in local newspapers were [email protected] published in order to introduce www.ecat.lt climate change issue and show importance of climate change adaptation. This work is now continued in the frame of BaltCICA project (www.baltcica.org), part financed by the BSR Programme 2007-2013. Project activities are carried out in two Lithuanian case study areas - Klaipeda city and Klai- peda district municipalities. Surplus water in rainwater collectors and floods in the Southern part of Klaipeda city, climate change Photos up and below: On-site presentation of local problems to the employees of local authori- impacts on groundwater levels and quality, as well as introduc- ties, researchers and other interested institutions by the representatives of local stakeholders in Klaipeda region. tion of climate change issues into the spatial planning process in Klaipeda district will be discussed. Researchers involved in the project visited case study areas, where local stakeholders introduced the current situation on-site (see photo). On later stages researcher will make assessment of consequences of climate change in the area and will present several scenarios to the local stakeholders. Climate change adaptation options will be suggested, discussed with local stakeholders and appraised. Based on the research and appraisal results, local stakeholders and decision-makers will make a final decision which adaptation option will be implemented in their locality. Visit of researchers to the case study area and discussion with representatives of local authorities and stakeholders is considered as a good starting point for the constructive dialogue, which will be continued in the frame of BaltCICA project and will lead to the increased adaptive capacities of Klaipeda region municipalities.

Baltic Cities Environmental bulletin 1/09 17 Stockholm and Hamburg first Green Capitals of Europe

Text: Mikko Jokinen & Tõnu Karu

Application format was planned to give much detailed information in comparable form of participating cities, but it was not- to European commission has introduced a new tool for tally functioning as planned. There is a need to further develop bigger European cities to demonstrate their actions in the criteria and application process during the coming calls. Eight cities were selected as finalists out of whom the jury selected the sustainable development. Stockholm and Hamburg winners. Beside the winners, two other Baltic cities were among were the first cities to be awarded the European finalists, Oslo and Copenhagen. Green Capital title for years 2010 and 2011 Stockholm award was received by vice mayor Ulla Hamilton. She respectively. The Award was handed over to the cities underlined in her thanking speech the commitments and efforts by EU Science and Technology Commissioner Janiez Stockholm had done for the environment and also in compiling rd the application, which seemed to be challenging for all the par- Potocnik in Brussels on 23 of February this year. ticipants. Hamburg will be the Green Capital in 2011. The city is characterises itself as “an average European city”- not especially good in any sector, but well performing in most of them”. In the same event together with Green Capital award, the Mo- reen Capital Award was formally introduced to the Com- bility Week Award 2008 for the best performance on last year mission by the city of Tallinn, and then-mayor Mr Jüri Ra- mobility week, was given to the city of Budapest. 66 cities out Gtas, in 2006. Commissioner Stavros Dimas adopted the of more than 2000 cities participating in mobility week actions, idea and after the necessary preparation work the first call for applied for the award. For some reason none of the Baltic cities the award was opened in spring 2008. applied for this award, even though the Mobility week and espe- According to rules of the award, it will be admitted annually cially the “ Day without private car in the city”, are very popular to one of the European cities with the population more than in our region. 200 000, to a city that manages to convince the jury of its sustainable achievements. From next year onwards the new Green More information: Capital will be nominated always 2 years before the official year, Mikko Jokinen, co-chair of the Commission on Environment, so that the city has time to prepare itself for the actions of the Head of Environment, city of Turku celebration year. Tõnu Karu, city of Tallinn

Good candidates from Baltic Sea Region In the first call, 35 cities participated. Independent evaluation team and jury had a big challenge in evaluating the proposals.

Jüri Ratas, member of EU Parlament, Estonia, H.E. Karin Jaani, Ambassador of Estonia and Ulla Hamilton, Vice- mayor of city of Stockholm at the Green Capital Award ceremony in Brussels.

18 Baltic Cities Environmental bulletin 1/09 Awareness raising among youth with the help of Q’s qa corner Answers provided by Henrik UBC Environmental Johansson, environmental controller from city of Växjö. Award

Why did the city of Växjö participate in the UBC Best Envi- How have you used the prize money? ronmental Practice in Baltic Cities Award 2007 competi- We have used the money to organize for instance study visits tion? for the people involved in the work with Fossil Fuel Free Växjö. Citizens do not always believe that something the city claims We also wanted to use the prize money to raise the awareness is good, since they can always find things that could be im- among the citizens, especially the young people. proved. It is still important, as it was in 2007, for the city of Växjö to find ways to show that the city’s efforts towards the climate work is valued also elsewhere. This could for example How have you succeeded to do that? be shown by statistical comparisons and different rankings, Well, we took all 17 year old youngsters living in Växjö to see but also by participating – and winning – awards. Of course the Leonardo diCaprio’s climate movie “The 11th hour”. As a we also wanted to share our experiences result, one of the students started his with cities all around the Baltic Sea own climate debate programme on local TV. In addition, we realized a study trip for class of students, 15 years of What did it mean for city of Växjö to age, to a factory that produces photo- win the Award? voltaic systems. This has been impor- Växjö was very happy to receive the tant since these youngsters have been Award. It was a recognition that made very much involved in the PV system in the politicians feel proud because some- their own school. one else was saying that they have done a good job. Winning this Award has given us more energy to continue the work in 2008, a group of Växjö students visited a factory producing PV systems. Photo: city of Växjö. towards a Fossil Fuel Free city.

UBC Environmental Award 2009 is now launched, check the back cover.

In this Questions & Answers' Corner we bring interesting issues into discussion. Panevezys wishes to improve storm water management system Text: Zita Tverkute Panevezys City Municipality in Lithuania has City Municipality of Panevezys invited other countries and organ- izations to participate in the project as partners and associated initiated an investment project and submitted partners – to share good experience or to get experience in storm an application to the Baltic Sea Region water management. The main partners in this submitted project Programme 2007-2013. are: Lahti (Finland) –Lahti Region Environmental Service, Lublin he project aims to improve the stage of the Baltic Sea and (Poland) City Municipality - Water treatment and Water Supply to strengthen the living environment and competitiveness Company, Alleroed (Denmark) City Municipality, Nordregio - Nor- Tof the Baltic Sea Region, using a stakeholder involvement. dic Centre for Spatial Development, Daugavpils (Latvia) City Mu- In the project, the Panevezys City Municipality plans to renew nicipality, Ministry of Environment of Lithuania have agreed to be and modernize the municipality’s storm water management sys- the associated partners in the project. tem and to decrease the pollution of the river Nemunas basin More information: and the Baltic Sea by undertaking the best practices from the Zita Tverkute, Head of Ecology Department Municipality of Panevėžys stakeholders and transferring them to other municipalities. Tel: +370 45 501316, Mob. +370 615 42 9 24 [email protected]

Baltic Cities Environmental bulletin 1/09 19 Small Tech - the key to success in Energy strategies for the Baltic Region

The present draft from the EU commission on a strategy for the Baltic Sea Region is indeed short when it comes to energy related issues as such. But intertwined in other sections of the draft you can read between the lines the importance of energy related issues for the strategy as a whole. Energy will be one of the defining issues of this century.

A new global revolution is needed in ways that energy is supplied and used. Energy demand is soaring like never before as populations grow and economies take off. Millions of citizens in the new democracies around the Baltic Sea Region are expecting to enjoy a lifestyle that requires more energy at the same time the world´s oil and gas fields are maturing. Energy policies, and associated infrastructure, are also a national and regional security issue that concerns us all. We need this energy revolution not only for stopping the greenhouse emissions that causes climate change, but also for generating jobs and new economic growth. A green New Deal is necessary for job creation in the aftermaths of the recent financial crisis and the global decline in economic activity.

Invest in Green Energy

EU and the Baltic Sea Region need real economy investments as a new economic driver. Substantial research demonstrates that we can save and reduce energy consumption without slowing economic growth. What we

UBC Energy Commission need to invest in is a green energy infrastructure that can meet the climate challenge, the future energy demands and a responsible security policy in the region. The future and

presumed integrated Baltic power grid makes it possible for every saved kWh to push back the market for high CO2 emission plants. Hydro and Nuclear power production from some parts of the Baltic region can then interact and balance the production of solar, wind, biomass and other forms of sustainable energy production.

The UBC Energy Commission is part of the Union of Baltic Cities, for more information please visit www.ubc.net.

20 BCB Environment 1/09 - UBC Energy Commission Small Tech - the key to success in Energy strategies for the Baltic Region Text: Stefan Windh Photo: UBC Energy Commission

UBC representing over 100 cities and municipalities, and we deliver and plan for our public utilities like heat and base our strategy on the assumption that the Baltic Sea power. The importance of Small-tech initiatives on the local Region in the near future can and will constitute one level is therefore the single most important factor in order to integrated energy market with access to a PanBaltic achieve our common climate goals. In this respect the energy electrical power distribution grid. This is the single most issue is a major local challenge for our cities. important “big tech” achievement and a prerogative for our strategy towards the creation of a new energy economy Trainings on energy efficiency needed in the region. This involves and effects multinational power companies in its true meaning as well as national We have to involve ourselves in a large scale educational governments. projects to train the operating staff in charge of the energy systems in cities, municipalites, SME/industries and in large The UBC represents the voice from the local government public buildings in energy efficiency metods. Main objective level where all energy is both produced and consumed of the initiatives must be to strengthen the local level to lower in one way or the other. The local level is the key player cost and direct reinforcement of the economical development in the new energy economy, since it according to well and growth in this new sector. documented studies by independent research institutions; the Cleantech sector can represent the single most In order to achieve this we need systems for efficient Technology significant impact on both climate change and the transfer. It is the major driving force for progress throughout emerging new green energy economy. Municipalities and history, in particular to help regional administrations and cities own street lamps, houses or public buildings and municipalities in the procurement process. In order to speed other infrastructure. We are a major energy consumer up the process of decreasing greenhouse gases and improve energy efficiency in the Baltic Sea Region, structured and validated information about different available technologies has to be well known throughout the region. This fulfills a Pan-Baltic need to get a system for exchange and transfer of technology and knowledge across regions, countries and municipalities. In addition to that there is a strong market listening in on the data that has a growing economy and interest to source new and relevant technologies for their rapid development.

Waste energy and agriculture

In an energy perspective there are two areas that will play a major role in the future. The first one is the abundance of waste energy in form of heat that is not used today. Legislation must stop this madness where a papermill och a nuclear plant can dump billions of Euros worth of energy in to the Baltic Sea at no cost or repercussions. The second sector is the agricultural sector. From an energy perspective we need to promote low energy intensity production methods in the agricultural sector from environmental reasons and from an energy perspective. Today More information: we, in average, input 10 kJ of industrial energy in order to get Ms Eva Hjälmered 1 kJ of food energy. The agricultural sector must be one of the [email protected] next sectors for energy savings in the Baltic Sea Region. Tel: +46 491 76 42 92 www.ubcenergy.org The new EU strategy for the Baltic Sea Region must take this into consideration or order to be both successful and economic sustainable.

BCB Environment 1/09 - UBC Energy Commission 21 Short News UBC Sustainability Action Programme 2010-2015 UBC Sustainability Action Programme 2010-2015 will be approved in the next UBC General Conference in Kristiansand in September 2009. The Action Programme has been developed UBC Survey of Sustainable Development 2009 during 2008-2009 with active participation from UBC -mem ber cities. It will support the Sustainability processes in the During May, all UBC member cities will receive an question- member cities and guide the work of the UBC Commission are for the UBC Sustainable Development 2009 Survey. This is on Environment for the coming years. More information at: the third, and therefore final, of the surveys where the imple- www.ubc-environment.net mentation of actions of UBC Agenda 21 Action Programme 2004-2009 - Roadmap for Sustainable Baltic Cities in the UBC Project Applications member cities, is monitored. Through the survey the sustainability of the cities is evaluated and compared to previous Are you facing a challenge that you would like to solve years in order to find good progress among the UBC cities. together in a project? UBC EnvCom is ready to assist you, The survey is carried out jointly with Åbo Akademi University please, contact us at: [email protected] and Södertörn Högskola through a RISKGOV –project funded by the Baltic Sea Region BONUS programme. The results Engage you stakeholders of the previous surveys have raised wide interest as this is a unique action for monitoring sustainable development in You can obtain a hard copy of the such a wide land area. All member cities are warmly encour- Engage your stakeholders - Stake- aged to participate! holder involvement toolkit for local authorities (in English and Russian) from the UBC EnvCom Secretariat Tools ThaT at: [email protected]

benefiT all local auThoriTies MoviNg SUStAiNABLy

URBANworks The URBANworks-toolkit supports the Moving Sustainably development and the establishment of a One concrete tool to assist cities to plan and move sustainability management unit by providing city towards more climate friendly transports is a Engage your stakeholders administrators with situation specific guidance, LocAL model for making a Sustainable Urban Transport - Stakeholder Involvement toolkit is a tools and concrete city examples. It also gives MANAgEMENt Plan (SUTP). Making a SUTP involves all relevant comprehensive guide to inspire local authorities them a detailed framework for creating a city departments, the whole urban area and on how to include different stakeholders in Development Plan for the establishment and involves different public and private stakeholders the decision-making process. Using the toolkit, operation of this management unit. into the process. published in English and Russian, the cities/ Tools that benefit all local authorities municipalities are able to increase the stability of URBANworks - Integrated Solutions Moving Sustainably - Guide to their work for sustainable development. for Sustainability Management in the Local management Sustainable Urban Transport Plans Baltic Cities This publication familiarises the reader with the Säästev liikuvus– säästva linnatranspordi URBANworks - Integreeritud integrated management system (IMS) that will plaanide teatmik Engage your stakeholders - lahendused Läänemere-äärsete linnade help cities and regions to overcome challenegs Kestävää liikkumista – opas kestävän Stakeholder involvement toolkit for säästva arengu suunamiseks in an effective way, eventually leading to the kaupunkiliikenteen suunnitteluun UBC Commission on Environment has published a CD where different tools local authorities URBANworks - Yhdennettyjä ratkaisuja sustainable development of the whole city or Nachhaltige Mobilität - Handbuch От информирования к вовлечению kestävän kehityksen ohjaukseen ja region. für eine nachhaltige städtische – Руководство по вовлечению johtamiseen Itämeren kaupungeissa Verkehrsplanung Virzīties ilgtspējīgi – Ceļvedis ilgtspējīgai заинтересованных сторон для URBANworks - Integrierte Lösungen Integrated management – Towards local that local authorities can use to help to engage stakeholders, establish a sus- pilsētas transporta plānošanai местных органов власти für das Nachhaltigkeitsmanagement in and regional sustainability Keliauti pagal tvarumo principą - Städten des Ostseeraums Integroitu johtaminen – Kohti paikallista Nuoseklių miesto transporto planų gidas URBANworks - Ilgtspējīgas pārvaldes ja alueellista kestävää kehitystä integrētie risinājumi Baltijas pilsētās Przemieszczanie Zrównoważone - ENgAgE yoUR Az Integrált irányítás – a helyi és tainability management unit, or make a sustainable urban transport plan for Przewodnik po Planach Zrównoważonego URBANworks - Integruoti Baltijos regionális fenntarthatóság érdekében StAkEhoLdERS Transportu Miejskiego regiono miestų darnaus valdymo Gestione integrata – Verso una Движемся устойчиво - Руководство по sprendimai sostenibilità locale e regionale Планированию в сфере Устойчивого URBANworks - Zintegrowane Integruotas valdymas: siekiant darnaus Городского Транспорта the city, have been gathered together. The CD contains all the translated ver- rozwiązania z zakresu prowadzenia savivaldybių ir regionų vystymosi Hållbar mobilitet - En guide till hållbar i zarządzania stałym rozwojem w Integrētā pārvaldība – ceļš uz vietējo un lokal transportplanering Miastach Bałtyckich reģionālo ilgtspējību URBANworks - Интегрированные Integrert styring –på vei mot Решения для Управления вопросами sions of the tools. The CD will be circulated in various events during 2009. All bærekraftige kommuner og regioner в сфере устойчивого развития Балтийских Городов Публикация Интегрированное управление - на пути к местному и URBANworks - Integrerade lösningar региональному устойчивому развитию för ledning av hållbar utveckling i This collection of tools are also available through www.ubc-environment.net Integrerad styrning – på väg mot © UBC Commission on Environment, 2009 Östersjöstäderna tools have been kommunal och regional hållbarhet produced by the UBC Commission on Environment. For more information, check: URBANworks www.ubc-environment.net

The Baltic Sea Challenge campaign Youth Monitoring – stakeholder involvement in HIV/AIDS prevention The Baltic Sea Challenge has now approached one hundred biggest Finnish companies to Youth Monitoring was adapted in the We Choose join the work for improving the state of the Baltic Sea and is a Life – Youth against HIV/AIDS project. It is a eagerly awaiting for positive responses from them. The cam- model from Rotterdam and has been carried out paign is also preparing an international project to strengthen for several years in Holland. It has resulted in a database about the co-operation with partners. By March 2009 over 140 ac- health behaviour and understanding of health among young peo- tors have joined the work and about 60 have written and sent ple. The data is frequently used in reports and in feedback discus- their action plans. The campaign is welcoming you to join! sion with young people themselves and their parents, but also at More information at: www.balticseachallenge.net schools and with the decision makers in the municipalities. In the project, Youth Monitor was constructed to the Russian circumstances and according the needs of the participating cities. Firstly a questionnaire with 35 multiple choice questions on health, friends and feelings of the youth was prepared. Secondly, Next UBC Commission on Environment meeting the Russian teams interviewed totally around 3 000 young people between 16 and 18 years, and finally, the results were sum- The UBC EnvCom meeting will be held in connection with the marized in a report which will be used by the Russian teams for X UBC General Conference in Kristiansand in their local plans. The big amount of respondents ensured a wide 23-27 September 2009. In the meeting, a new co-chairman involvement of young people. The results will remarkably sup- for the Environment Commission will be elected as the port the cities to develop strategic local action plans on the pre- current co-chair Mr Guldbrand Skjönberg from Nacka, vention of HIV/AIDS. Sweden has retired. We Choose a Life – Youth against HIV/AIDS project is an EU co- UBC Commission on Environment would like to ask funded two-year project co-ordinated by Baltic Region Healthy for candidates for the co-chair. Further information on Cities Association. During the first year there have been three the post of the co-chairman and also about hosting the trainings in three Russian cities. UBC EnvCom has been respon- Commission on Environment meetings can be received from sible for the training in stakeholder involvement and the proc- Mr Björn Grönholm, Head of Environment and Sustainable ess continues throughout the whole project. More information: Development Secretariat, [email protected] www.marebalticum.org/sexualhealthrussia

22 Baltic Cities Environmental bulletin 1/09 UBC Environment and Sustainable Development Secretariat

Union of the Baltic Cities (UBC) is a network of 106 cities from all ten Baltic Sea countries, with an overriding goal of contributing to the democratic, social, cultural and environmentally sustainable development in the Baltic Sea Region. UBC Commission on Environment (UBC EnvCom) is one of the 13 commissions of the UBC. Practical work of the Commission is carried out by UBC Environment and Sustainable Development Secretariat. Its services for the cities include for example organising meetings and policy work, preparing documents and publications, initiating and running projects, and consulting and training. The Secretariat carries out Baltic Cities Sustainable Development Surveys biannually, publishes Baltic Cities Environmental EnvCom, bulletin, and offers Good Practice Database for local authorities Turku at www.ubcwheel.eu. The current staff of Environment and Sustainable Development Secretariat consists of 13 professionals working fulltime for the UBC. Baltic Our Sea aims

Projects

Our address is: UBC Environment and Sustainable Development Secretariat CHAMP - NEW BRIDGES - MATRUSCHKA - SUSTAINMENT - Vanha Suurtori 7 BUSTRIP - Managing Urban Europe-25 - NewHansa ... FIN -20500 Turku, Finland just to mention a few. [email protected] Tel: +358 2 262 3179 Fax: 358 2 262 3425 www.ubc-environment.net

Baltic Cities Environmental bulletin 1/09 23 FROM LOCAL ACTION TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT THE BEST ENVIRONMENTAL PRACTICE IN The Union of the Baltic Cities has the honour to invite your city to present a good practice/s BALTIC CITIES under the title of the STATE OF THE BALTIC SEA. AWARD 2009 The Best Environmental Practice in Baltic Cities Award will be presented to one city with a grant of 5000 euros donated by Vesta. 2 The Best 0 Environmental Practice 0 in Baltic Cities Award 9 UBC Application form from www.ubc-environment.net

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION IS 15TH OF JUNE 2009!